Som du sikkert har fått med deg så er S-60 Blackhawk en kandidat i konkurransen om det nye helikopteret til Hæren og Spesialstyrkene. Sea Hawk varianten er alt valgt av Norge som vårt fregatt- og kystvakthelikopter. (Red.)
Two
U.S. Army T901 Improved Turbine Engines (ITE) Arrive At Sikorsky For Black
Hawk® Integration Efforts
Fundamental to Black Hawk modernization, the new GE Aerospace engine
will boost aircraft performance and range
Representatives from the
U.S. Army, GE Aerospace and Lockheed Martin gathered to mark the next step in
ITE integration on June 27 in West Palm Beach, Florida.
WEST PALM
BEACH, Fla., June 27, 2024 – Two of the
U.S. Army’s T901 Improved Turbine Engines (ITE) arrived at Sikorsky, a Lockheed
Martin company (NYSE: LMT), signaling a new phase of Black Hawk® helicopter modernization
efforts. The T901 engine, which is manufactured by GE Aerospace, will increase
the UH-60M Black Hawk helicopter’s performance, including lift capability and
range, providing Army commanders more options for planning and executing
missions.
The T901 engine will increase the Black Hawk’s power by 50%, while also
improving fuel efficiency and is a critical component of the roadmap to a
modernized Black Hawk – a key part of Lockheed Martin’s 21st Century Security®
vision.
“Increased
performance and range offered by the T901 are high-value capabilities the Army
is able to implement on the Black Hawk in a cost-effective way that will not
require expensive re-engineering,” said Hamid Salim, vice president of Army and
Air Force Systems at Sikorsky. “The ITEP and other enhancement efforts ensure
the Black Hawk remains in operation well into the 2070s, securing its position
as the Army’s foundational tactical air assault and utility aircraft of
choice.”
What’s Next
Sikorsky is positioned to conduct a multi-aircraft test program to
support the Army’s ITEP acquisition milestone schedule.
- The two T901 engines
will be installed in one Black Hawk test aircraft for ground runs and
flight testing.
- Aircraft hardware is
already on hand to accept two additional T901 engines for installation
into a second Black Hawk test aircraft, which will accelerate the test program.
The Army’s Utility Helicopters Project Office (UHPO), Aviation Turbine
Engines Project Office (ATE PO), and Sikorsky have completed several key
program milestones to prepare for this integration, including:
- Successful completion
of the H-60M Preliminary Design Review and Critical Design Review.
- Software Formal
Qualification Testing (FQT) for the Integrated Vehicle Health Management
System (IVHMS) and is on track to complete the Flight Management System
FQT this summer.
- Receipt and
completion of all aircraft test instrumentation required to support the
test program.
- Receipt of all
aircraft "A-kit" hardware required to install two T901s into the
H-60M in preparation to execute ground test and flight test.
“We view this as an extension of the work we’ve completed on ITE with
our Future Attack Reconnaissance Aircraft (FARA) prototype and are even better
positioned for a timely and simplified integration of the engine into the
H-60M, due to data and insights we’ve retrieved from successful ITE tests
completed to date,” said Salim.
Sikorsky received, installed, and successfully conducted engine
light-off of the T901 engine in the FARA prototype aircraft. The ongoing FARA
test program is specifically designed to collect data relevant to the Black
Hawk engine integration to support risk reduction for the Black Hawk flight
test program.
A Modernized Black Hawk
Sikorsky H-60M modernization efforts continue to be primarily focused
on ITE, as well as Modular Open Systems Approach/digital backbone and Launched
Effects. Digital innovations, such as a new sustainment digital twin, improve
safety and mission readiness while reducing costly downtime and unscheduled
maintenance.
For additional information, visit our website: www.lockheedmartin.com/blackhawk.
About Lockheed Martin
Lockheed Martin is a global defense technology company driving innovation and
advancing scientific discovery. Our all-domain mission solutions and 21st
Century Security® vision accelerate the delivery of transformative technologies
to ensure those we serve always stay ahead of ready. More information at LockheedMartin.com.
